The state of Alaska is hoping to make waves in the cruise industry with the first revenue cruise in nearly two years. The state’s tourism agency has reached an agreement with Carnival Cruise Lines to operate a one-week sailing from Seward to Seattle from July 16 through July 28, according to a notice filed with the state’s Executive Office of Tourism. The cruise will depart from Seward, and will feature several excursions.
Due to budget cuts, the U.S. Department of Interior has delayed the finalizing of the 2015 cruise season until October. This means that for the first time since 2010, no cruise ships will call at Alaska ports. The first of these ships, the Carnival Magic, will arrive in Juneau on June 6 and depart on June 10. The cruise season will then slowly begin to ramp up and wrap up in October.
Alaska’s passenger cruise industry is finally back in prime shape. The state’s first revenue cruise in nearly two years pushed the state’s total to two since last summer’s Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) contract expiration. The R/V Grace arrived at Ketchikan, on the Alaska Peninsula, on July 12 from Seward, and carried nearly 1,000 passengers during the eight-day cruise.. Read more about carnival cruise miracle alaska and let us know what you think.
Large-ship sailing for profit has returned to Alaska.
The Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas, which left Seattle on Monday for a seven-night Alaska trip and landed in Sitka is a town in Alaska. today, became the first major cruise ship to return to Alaska. Sitka is now the second Alaskan port to welcome a large cruise ship in 2019, and the first to do so with paying guests.
On July 17, the Serenade of the Seas arrives in Seattle (Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean)
Is this the year’s first visit to Alaska by a big cruise ship? Serenade made a brief stop in Ketchikan on July 9 as part of a CDC-sponsored simulated voyage with volunteer passengers.
This cruise is a time of celebration for the cruise industry, local employees, regional suppliers, and Alaskan towns that were negatively affected by the lack of cruise ships in 2024 and at the start of the normal Alaskan season this year.
“Alaska cruising is back, and we’re thrilled to be the first to return. “One of our customers’ favorite locations is Alaska,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.
“We are grateful for the support of our partners, Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and other government and health authorities. This is a return that is significantly felt by many, including those whose communities rely on cruise tourism.”
READ MORE: Bahamas Paradise Is Giving Away Free Cruises To Essential Workers
Sitka, Alaska
All guests 16 and older must get a vaccination as part of Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruise health and safety procedures. As on August 1, the minimum age will be reduced to 12 years old. Children under the age of 18 will be subjected to further testing.
Other procedures include mask-wearing in most indoor venues regardless of vaccination status, separate sections in the main dining room for vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors, and certain venues that are exclusively open to vaccinated passengers.
Vaccinated passengers are free to explore on their own or arrange a shore excursion while in port. Those who have not been vaccinated must buy a Royal Caribbean trip.
Following the Freedom of the Seas’ voyage from Miami during the Fourth of July weekend, Serenade of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s second ship to resume service in the United States. By the end of August, 13 Royal Caribbean ships will be traveling around the globe, including Ovation of the Seas, which will join Serenade in Alaska.
READ NEXT: The CDC Approves Ovation of the Seas For Test Sailing
It’s been a long time coming, but Alaska Airlines has finally started charging passengers to fly to this state. The route from Seattle to Anchorage will accept airline passes for those who prefer not to pay the $89 round trip fare, but the service will charge for any flights that leave or arrive.. Read more about alaska cruise news and let us know what you think.
Related Tags
This article broadly covered the following related topics:
- carnival cruise
- royal caribbean
- alaska cruise
- cruise news
- celebrity cruises alaska
